Can the planet's most aged leader retain his position and attract a country of youthful electorate?
This world's oldest leader - 92-year-old Paul Biya - has pledged Cameroon's electorate "better days are ahead" as he pursues his eighth straight term in office on Sunday.
The nonagenarian has stayed in power since 1982 - an additional 7-year term could keep him in power for half a century making him almost 100.
Election Controversies
He defied widespread calls to leave office and has been criticised for making merely one public appearance, using the majority of the political race on a 10-day unofficial journey to the European continent.
A backlash concerning his use of an AI-generated campaign video, as his challengers courted voters on the ground, led to his hurried travel north on his return home.
Youth Population and Joblessness
It means that for the vast majority of the population, Biya remains the sole leader they remember - above 60% of Cameroon's 30 million residents are below the quarter century mark.
Young campaigner Marie Flore Mboussi is desperate for "new blood" as she thinks "prolonged leadership naturally results in a sort of inertia".
"Following four decades, the population are exhausted," she states.
Employment challenges for youth remains a particular issue of concern for nearly all the contenders participating in the vote.
Nearly 40% of youthful Cameroonians between 15 to 35 years are without work, with 23% of recent graduates encountering difficulties in obtaining regular work.
Rival Contenders
Apart from young people's job issues, the voting procedure has created controversy, especially with the exclusion of Maurice Kamto from the leadership competition.
The disqualification, confirmed by the highest court, was widely criticised as a ploy to block any significant opposition to the incumbent.
12 candidates were authorized to contest for the leadership position, comprising an ex-government official and Bello Bouba Maigari - each ex- Biya allies from the north of the nation.
Voting Challenges
Within the nation's English-speaking Northwest and South-West areas, where a protracted separatist conflict persists, an poll avoidance closure has been imposed, halting commercial operations, transport and education.
The separatists who have imposed it have promised to harm anyone who casts a ballot.
Starting four years ago, those working toward a breakaway state have been fighting government forces.
The violence has until now resulted in at minimum 6k people and forced approximately 500,000 residents from their homes.
Vote Outcome
Once polling concludes, the highest court has fifteen days to declare the results.
The government official has already warned that no candidate is allowed to announce winning beforehand.
"Individuals who will seek to reveal findings of the leadership vote or any self-proclaimed victory contrary to the laws of the country would have violated boundaries and must prepare to receive retaliatory measures matching their violation."